The government of Canada has selected Adaptive Phased Management (APM), which includes the isolation and geological containment of used nuclear fuel, with an option for temporary shallow underground storage, as the solution for radioactive waste management.
The move sees the government adopt the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) recommended approach for managing used nuclear fuel.
Announcing the move natural resources minister Gary Lunn said: “This is a safe, long-term approach. APM will ensure the used nuclear fuel is monitored and retrievable.” Lunn added: “It is also designed to take advantage of emerging energy technologies, including the possibility of recycling the fuel.”
The NWMO will now begin planning and designing a site-selection process but a final decision on a site is expected to take several years.